The actors behind the Star Trek Captains
Warning: Geek rating is off the (star) charts!
Are you a Star Trek fan? If you suddenly pictured Harrison Ford and R2D2, you are thinking of the wrong franchise. And no, they are not the same. (shaking my head)
So many reasons why I loved this series. Great story telling, Gene Roddenberry’s prolific imagination, the groundbreaking stance on social issues and unprecedented impact on science. On a personal note I loved the ethical leadership, how each episode exemplified the best of diversity and inclusion, of collaboration and creative problem solving in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Star Trek never ceases to amaze me. Did you know that Gene Roddenberry,who created the series, threatened to walk away when producers balked at casting Nichelle Nichols? A Black woman as a bridge officer, third in command of the Enterprise, was unthinkable in 1965. Nichelle was the first African American woman on American TV who was not portrayed as a maid. She resigned after the studio began to write her out of the script, until a fan made a heartfelt appeal to her and requested that she remain. He knew that this role had the potential to change minds and hearts about what is possible. Can you guess who was this persuasive fan who advocated on behalf of social change? Dr. Martin Luther King. He said “You can’t leave. This is the only show on TV that Coretta and I allow the children to watch. You don’t have a Black role. You have an Equal role.” And she stayed. And if that’s not enough star power for you, think about this: Gene and Star Trek also gave us George Takei.
But today I learned something new. In Shatner’s documentary “The Captains” I saw something I had never seen before. In this film he interviews all the preeminent captains of the Star Trek franchise. And contrary to the over-acted archetypal Cpt. James T. Kirk, Shatner shows a vulnerability and a subtlety I found surprising, endearing, and real. Well, until he spoke to Kate M. with all the chauvinistic, clueless, politically incorrect verve only his Kirk alter ego could compete with. No. It was worse. (shaking my head)
Kate Mulgrew spoke of being a single mother raising two children with no one to help her and working 12- to 18-hour days for years at a time to bring us Captain Janeway. Patrick Stewart, Scott Bakula and William Shatner talked about the toll on their marriages. They each ended up divorced. Avery Brooks was more discreet. He owned his choices but insisted that his family paid the price. In a revealing insight, he admitted that even now, it is hard to say what the full impact will be. Their characters span 45+ years, but what unites them even more than their Star Trek captain uniforms is the dedication to their craft and the price they paid to give us something we love so much. I had no idea that the series I loved so much came at such a high price.
They did not just pay in time away from their families. It was their dedication. It was their commitment to do their best and give their best to their craft. Day after day, season after season, year after year. It has been a difficult relationship. Kate M. admits that her children still resent it. They did not watch the show. They dismissed and derided it. Shatner’s struggle was more public with his documentary/book “Get a life” which was pretty offensive to most Trekkies, but as he admits in “The Captains”, this was mostly the expression of his internal struggle with the disdain of his peers for this performance in the original series.
Looking back, I now regret every unkind thought, snarky remark, and dismissive gesture I might have made in the face of the enormous discipline, sustained commitment, and deep sacrifice these actors’ performances required. Sir Patrick’s work ethic is legendary, and he was a proven Shakesperian actor long before he was cast as Jean-Luc Picard. (or Jean-Look Picard as most Americans pronounce it) ;-). He had a different challenge. He was derided for “slumming” on Star Trek and taking a step down in Hollywood. He said, “I was scared. I was scared because I had never done anything of the kind.” But he promised himself that he would give his absolute best and give the most memorable performance of this franchise. And he did. For 198 episodes and four movies.
My take away? Even when something appears easy, perhaps especially when something appears easy, it is the product of immense discipline, larger-than-life dedication, years of perseverance, and a painstaking quest to find some balance between professional commitments and personal values.
Perhaps you can relate. I would bet that behind your own successes there is a lifetime of practice, a deep-seated commitment, and many personal sacrifices that others do not see—perhaps people who told you “Don’t do it. It won’t pay the bills,” (like Shatners’s dad), or professional successes that your family resents (which reminds me of the colleague who’s daughter sent a “Best Mom Ever” Mother’s Day card to her sister), or a new job that others think is a step backward in your career. Excellence takes discipline and commitment. It takes work. And sometimes you only know where the line is after you have stepped over it. But if you make the investment in excellence, you can leave a legacy.
Sir Patrick Stewart. And the Queen. Of England.
Patrick’s closing sentence was, “I know I will be remembered as Jean-Luc Picard. Not for Shakespeare. And I am absolutely fine with that.” And in that sentence, Shatner found a level of closure he was still seeking 45 years later. Can you say that? Would you be okay if you were remembered for the work that you do now? Have you chosen to prioritize your family? Or have you found that most elusive of space-faring species called “work-life balance”? If you have, Congratulations. Do share. But otherwise, here’s the recipe for success from the captains:
- Unwavering commitment to their craft. Do you love it so much you would give up everything else for it? That you would be willing to work at it 12-18 hours a day, for several years?
- Stick to it, no matter what.
- Do it with grace. Smile for the cameras, the fans, the conventions, the autographs, the PR appearances.
- Bring to it all your skills. Bring all of yourself to it—your stage presence, desire to contribute and make a difference… and all that jazz. Because it is not really about the job. It is really about you. It is about your standards. It’s never “just a job.”
- Be aware of the cost to your loved ones, and make a conscious choice. And when it is no longer worth it, take a bow and choose a different stage.
- Honor the positive impact you have on others. Even when you see your own shortcomings.
- Be okay with your choices, even if others do not understand.
Even those who share your experience will fail you. Shatner’s inability to connect with Avery and Kate says more about his desire to fit in, to belong and be accepted by the Hollywood elite than about his ability to relate to their struggles. They have both chosen to no longer play the game and to prioritize their families. Sometimes you just have to walk away. Others will find you weird and overly emotional. They may even imply you do not have what it takes to be a leader. [Did I mention Shatner’s insistence that women could not be leaders —he may have brought up Hilary Clinton and Madeleine Albright— and his inappropriate questions about hormones? (shaking my head)]
But these might be the rant of an 83-year-old (hu)man who is still searching for that elusive inner feeling that says, “I have made it.” And here lies the difference between the mythical Star Trek captains and the mere mortals who play them. Vulnerability. Painful choices. Regrets. Hard-won wisdom —or lack thereof— and no alternate timelines to rewrite history.
The documentary spins a cautious tale for Chris Pine, the newest actor to play a Star Trek captain. And for each one of us. Which ones of these lessons have you learned on your own quest to play superman or superwoman Star Trek captain in the office? Would you have listened if someone had warned you? What else would you add?
It’s your turn: “Engage!”
P.S.: My apologies if you were hoping for a picture of me in Star Trek regalia. And no, I do not speak Klingon. My personal obsession was limited to watching the shows, purchasing the original shrink-wrapped pop-up Enterprise book, reading “Make it so!” http://www.amazon.com/Star-Trek-Leadership-Lessons-Generation/dp/0671520989 –which I really enjoyed 15 years ago, and, of course, the matching journal. ;-). Well, there was that episode I co-wrote with my teammates in Risk Management…but that is a story for some other time. But if you are tempted to add The Ethics of Star Trek to my Christmas list? Make it so!
Lovely post Isabelle. Much of what you wrote rang true to me but especially “Even when something appears easy, perhaps especially when something appears easy, it is the product of immense discipline, larger-than-life dedication, years of perseverance, and a painstaking quest to find some balance between professional commitments and personal values.”
When someone is exceptionally good at what they do it is a gift for sure. But few ever realize the time, effort and dedication it takes to “appear” to be so confident and competent each and every time. No one is ever the best without investing the time … whether it is singing, teaching, preaching, presenting … on and on.
Thank you for bring this dedication to awareness. 🙂
Thank you Mary,
I have been reflecting on your thoughtful response.“But few ever realize the time, effort and dedication it takes to “appear” to be so confident and competent each and every time.” I wonder how this understanding shapes or changes the decisions we make? It helps us commit to work longer and harder to reach excellence in our existing pursuits. But, what about new endeavors? Do we become more selective and intentional in our pursuits when we realize what it takes to be excellent?
Does it mean we should only pursue goals we consider “worthwhile” with a single minded focus on excellence? Or do we also need a range of silly, hopelessly bad, just for the fun of it, pursuits to live a full life?
I suspect, these “pointless” ways in which we spend our time give us some much needed renewal breaks between stretches of intense focus on our primary objectives. So long as there is a good structure in place to ensure continuous practice and growth and development, these other occupations might prevent burn-out. So next time my inner-overachiever becomes alarmed at how i have been wasting my time, i’ll try to remember that what i am doing may not be so pointless after all.
Great post. As you know, commitment and discipline in the pursuit of excellence is kind of my thing :). Though I don’t claim to be a Patrick Stewart!
For me, the pursuit of excellence is highly tied to my being engaged (as in employee engagement) in my job/task/profession. To persist in the face of challenge I must have the emotional and intellectual commitment, and the motivation to give more than I thought I could. I say this from recent experience. I just completed my first year in a new career where my whole reason-to-be was achieving excellence in my profession. I have been wholly and gladly engaged.
But… Something’s missing. Pursuit of excellence, while addictive and rewarding, is not the end game for me.
So for me the most thought provoking thread in your post is around the tradeoffs between that highly engaged state in the pursuit of excellence and the rest of the portfolio of my life. Am I making those tradeoffs as consciously as I should be? Am I adequately engaged in ALL critical dimensions of my life? I think the answer is, I need to adjust my portfolio.
Great point. And great timing before we tackle New Year’s resolutions. So, how do you go about adjusting your portfolio?
“But… Something’s missing. Pursuit of excellence, while addictive and rewarding, is not the end game for me.” Hazen, This resonates for me. Attaining levels of professional excellence feels much more satisfying when I tend carefully to other dimensions of my life.
I practiced the single-minded pursuit, and then a more equitable division of time. In the end, I find that a strong alignment of values serves me best. The old adage “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life” is a bold faced lie! But there is no reason that we cannot fully enjoy the work that we do. Indeed, I find that well managed, “work” transforms into a lab to grow and develop into more of who I choose to be.
The key word is “Consciously”. Two main questions lead me to review and rebalance my portfolio: #1. What behaviors and mental habits are encouraged or discouraged by my current (work) activities? (Is is something I want more of or less of?). #2 Where (and what for) do I choose to use my capacity for focus, commitment and excellence?